OBAFEMI’S ON TARGET AGAIN BUT BORO HOLD ON IN DRAW
MICHAEL Obafemi struck his 11th goal of the campaign to earn Swansea City a 1-1 draw in their Championship encounter with promotion-chasing Middlesbrough.
The Swans dominated possession in the first-half, although neither side managed a shot on goal. But chances came thick and fast in the secondhalf, with both teams scoring inside the first three minutes after the restart.
Riley McGree fired Middlesbrough ahead in spectacular fashion before Obafemi levelled soon after with a cool finish into the bottom corner. The Swans and Boro were both denied by the woodwork as goalkeepers Andy Fisher and Luke Daniels were called into action more frequently, although the spoils were ultimately shared following a frenetic second period at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Jamie Paterson was rested after being unable to recover from a previous knock which meant Ryan Manning slotted in at left wing-back, with Hannes Wolf operating in an advanced role. Boro pressed well early on, and, despite failing to score in their previous four matches, they looked to get on the front foot from the outset.
They carved the Swansea defence open on 13 minutes as Duncan Watmore went go through on goal, although he drilled over the crossbar in what was a real let off for the hosts. It perhaps encapsulated Boro’s slide of late, and, after some periods of sloppiness, the Swans slowly showed some impressive patterns of play without really troubling goalkeeper Daniels. Joel Piroe and Manning both had efforts deflected wide while Flynn Downes blazed over from an acute angle as clear cut openings were at a premium. Swansea had so much control in the game though, and with patience, the coaching staff will no doubt have kept faith when it came to their side’s ability to improve in attacking areas.
The home side ended the opening half having had 80 per cent of the possession, but neither side managed to register a shot on target as the score remained goalless at the break. That statistic was swiftly blown out of the water following what was a blis
tering start to the second-half.
Matt Grimes uncharacteristically gave away possession inside his own half, and McGree rifled in off the crossbar less than a minute after the restart to send the travelling supporters into raptures. And it served to be an appetiser of things to come as the game well and truly exploded into life
Marcus Tavernier was denied by Fisher following a swift attack by Watmore, and Chris Wilder’s men were emphatically punished for failing to extend their lead. Piroe fed Obafemi who cut inside before drilling beyond Daniels to make it 1-1 within a minute of that glorious opening for the visitors.
The game became stretched, and Middlesbrough went close on three occasions in quick succession to extending their lead. Marc Bola unleashed a rasping effort against the crossbar before Anfernee Dijksteel was denied by Fisher following a lung-busting run up the pitch, with Tavernier having an effort cleared off the line from the follow-up.
Swansea then went agonisingly close to gaining the lead as Cyrus Christie picked out Wolf at the back post, but the Austrian’s strike was palmed on to the crossbar by Daniels. The contest had become frenetic, and the pace of what had been a manic period started to show as gaps opened up. .
Piroe was expertly denied by Daniels from a well-worked corner as both sides looked to win it, with Martin sending on Olivier Ntcham for Manning. The Swans carved out a glorious opening to bulge the net eight minutes from time as Grimes picked out Ben Cabango in the box from a free-kick, but the Welshman failed to hit the target with his header.
Ntcham had an effort blocked before Boro almost won it in the final minute, but substitute Aaron Connolly’s effort hit the post as the points were shared, with Swansea extending their unbeaten run to eight matches ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Bournemouth.